Cup soccer is the flavour of the month, and in India all of the extra in order the Kalinga Super Cup begins on January 9 in Odisha and ends on January 28. Yes, the nationwide crew are in motion through the AFC Asian Cup on the identical time, which raises loads of questions concerning the significance being afforded to what’s on paper at the least, India’s premier cup competitors.

So why is that this going down over 19 days mid-season?

In quick, a compressed footballing calendar. Ever since its inception as a substitute for the Federation Cup, the Super Cup has been a month-long (ish) match. It’s often been a post-season affair, however with the AFC Asian Cup complicating the soccer schedule this season, the Super Cup has been moved to January.

However, with all eyes on India’s fortunes in Qatar on the 2024 AFC Asian Cup, and with India’s greatest gamers plying their commerce there, one may argue the sheen’s been taken off this match. Yes, the AIFF have relaxed the overseas participant rule (now as much as six, from 4) in a bid to ease the ache of membership’s collaborating with out their greatest home gamers, however nonetheless, there stays the sensation that this match is a little bit of an afterthought, a formality.

Is the competitors really a formality?

If it appears, walks and quacks like a duck… The 12-team Indian Super League doesn’t meet AFC’s minimal standards of video games – a state of affairs that is overcome with the addition of Durand Cup and Super Cup video games. Coupled with it being compelled right into a mid-season window, the place there might be valuable fewer eyeballs, it does seem to be the Super Cup exists to tick a number of bins on a guidelines.

The group of the match additionally reeks of indifference, particularly because the opening recreation, between East Bengal FC and Hyderabad FC, takes place on the coaching pitch of the Kalinga Stadium, after a late change. Imagine if the FA Cup fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool occurred at London Colney as a substitute of a packed Emirates, and you’ve got the absurdity of the state of affairs. Especially since East Bengal carry with them sizeable travelling help, and ‘Kalinga Stadium – Pitch 1’ to present it its official identify, can not accommodate them.

The AIFF’s current organizational gaffes have left many managers upset, with FC Goa boss Manolo Marquez telling Times of India, “I love this country after four seasons here, but there are things that I still don’t understand. You cannot change rules every week. First four foreigners, then six. First games in another stadium, then another (training) pitch close to the Kalinga. These things you cannot plan at the last moment.” “How is it possible that the second leg fixtures (of ISL) are still not out… We need to plan.”

What concerning the precise soccer?

Indian soccer by no means disappoints, and there are many issues rumbling all through the golf equipment. Chief amongst these might be Antonio Habas’ return to the touchline for Mohun Bagan, after Juan Ferrando’s mid-season departure. The membership have already gained silverware this season with the Durand Cup, and Habas might be eager on starting his new spell with a trophy.

Not-so-similarly, Jamshedpur FC additionally welcome Khalid Jamil again to India’s top-flight footballing scene, and it will be fascinating to see if he can flip across the fortunes of the membership. There is not a supervisor higher at fostering an underdog spirit, and JFC may thrive underneath his tutelage.

Hyderabad FC, reportedly having reached the brink of economic meltdown (not arduous to guess given the spate of gamers and coaches terminating their contracts), apparently have recent funding and should even make use of a recently-fired coach.

On the thirtieth of December 2023, I legally terminated my contract with Hyderabad FC. I wish to say thanks to the Club’s supporters, who had been extraordinarily understanding throughout my time on the Club, and to these gamers who all the time gave their greatest for the great of the group.

– Conor Nestor (@Conornestor17) January 1, 2024

Wait, that is not precise soccer

Ah effectively, FC Goa must be favourites on the pitch, with the ISL table-toppers purring with their current kind. They will not be disproportionately affected with three Indian gamers lacking (Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes and Sandesh Jhingan). Mumbai City have provided six gamers to the nationwide crew squad, 5 of whom recurrently characteristic within the beginning XI, so Petr Kratky might need his work lower out.

Kerala Blasters’ fashion of play underneath Ivan Vukomanovic this season appears tailored for cup competitions, and even the absence of Pritam Kotal, Ishan Pandita, Rahul KP and Adrian Luna is likely to be overcome as they goal for his or her first-ever trophy on the nationwide stage. Defending champions Odisha FC are a match for any crew on their day, with Sergio Lobera aiming to really feel silverware in his fingers as soon as extra. Bengaluru FC and East Bengal may additionally thrive in a cup competitors, particularly as they don’t seem to be as affected as Mohun Bagan, who provide seven gamers to Igor Stimac’s squad.

With the ISL golf equipment not essentially at full power, we may additionally see one of many I-League quartet of Gokulam Kerala, Sreenidi Deccan, Shillong Lajong and Inter Kashi spring a shock. Which could be completely consistent with the unusual nature of this match.

So, who’s taking part in who?

Well, there are undoubtedly some massive video games to sit up for within the group stage. There’s a Kolkata derby, a Hyderabad derby, a rematch of final yr’s Super Cup last, so there are some intriguing storylines ready to be written.

Group A: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, Hyderabad FC, Sreenidhi Deccan

Group B: Kerala Blasters, NorthEast United, Jamshedpur FC, Shillong Lajong

Group C: Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, Punjab FC, Gokulam Kerala

Group D: FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, Inter Kashi

The 2024 Super Cup might be telecast on the Sports18 community and streamed reside on JioCinema.